Bruce Byers ’69 Receives Foreign Language Education Award

Bruce Byers ’69, chair of the Division of Modern Language and Literature in the College of Arts and Science at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, was recently awarded the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers Association (SCFLTA) Lifetime Achievement Award during the SCFLTA Conference.

Byers was recognized as the enthusiastic ambassador of the Francophone language and culture and as the face of world language methodology at BJU. He was also recognized for using his talents beyond his “official” duties.

He has taught French to American businessmen at Michelin during the summers and has taught English to newcomers to the United States. He has also participated in mission teams to Quebec and Haiti and has translated numerous sermons into French to be used in French radio broadcasts.

Byers developed the current beginning and intermediate French course syllabi and recently submitted a proposal for a new French major program. He has also co-authored two high school French textbooks and published several articles in the French Review, the journal of the American Association of Teachers of French.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree in French education from IUP, he earned a master’s degree in French from Middlebury College and a PhD in French from Indiana University in Bloomington.

The SCFLTA Lifetime Achievement Award is presented each year to a world language educator, who has demonstrated excellence in, dedication in, and commitment to teaching and leadership in world language education throughout his/her career.

Candidates for the award must have at least 15 years of experience in teaching or administration of world language programs. Candidates must also have been a member of the SCFLTA for at least 10 years.